Group Size: 8 – 15 participants

km = kilometer

Day 1              12.09.2021      Arrival in Malawi

After arrival at Blantyre Chileka Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and driver. You will take a drive towards Thyolo where you will stay at the Game Haven Lodge. Game Haven is a serene, beautiful game park and the lodge is set in the indigenous forests and grasslands of the Shire highlands of Southern Malawi. The park has a variety of wildlife which includes kudu, roan, eland, sable, giraffe, zebra, and a prolific birdlife. Enjoy this tranquil setting with a fireplace that warms the spacious lounge and the exceptional views from the veranda. (D)

Game Haven Lodge

Distance by bus est. 1 h

Day 2              13.09.2021      Mulanje Mountain range

After breakfast you will shuttle to Satemwa Tea Estate where you will take part in a tea tasting workshop. Afterwards you will enjoy a lunch at beautiful Huntington House. Historic Huntingdon House was founded in 1923 by an immigrant from Scotland and exudes a unique colonial charm. After lunch you will shuttle to the majestic Mulanje mountain landscape. In Likhubula you will start your 3 days hike to several peaks, amongst them Sapitwa, the highest peak in Southern Tropical Africa (3002 m). For the next 3 nights you will sleep in mountain huts in the Mulanje massif. After detailed briefing and equipment check, you start the ascend via the fairly shaded trail that follows the Likhubula valley to the top of Chambe plateau via Chapaluka path arriving at our overnight hut in the early evening. (B,L,D)

Chambe Hut

Hike est. 4 h / 7 km / altitude difference 800 m to 1904 m

Distance by bus est. 1.5 h

Day 3              14.09.2021      On the way to the peak

After early breakfast in the morning, you will climb Chambe Peak. After lunch you will proceed on an undulating trail to Chisepo hut. (B,L,D)

Chisepo Hut

Hike est. 8 h / 15 km / altitude difference 1904 m to 2500 m

Day 4              15.09.2021      The highest peak in South East Africa

Today after breakfast you start the ascend for Sapitwa the highest peak in South East Africa. You will be back for lunch at base camp and in the afternoon, you will proceed on undulating terrain to the C.C.A.P Hut.(B,L,D)

C.C.A P. Hut

Hike est. 9 h / 16 km / altitude difference 2500 m to 3002 m

Day 5              16.09.2021      Descent

After breakfast you will climb Chiremba Peak after which you will descend all the way down to the pickup point at Likhubula. Debriefing is done after refreshing shower and lunch at Dziwelankhalamba Falls. You will overnight at Kara O Mula Lodge in the beautiful forest of Mulanje Mountains and with a breathtaking view over the lowlands with the tea plantations. (B,L,D)

Karaomula Lodge

Hike est. 7 h / 15 km / highest point 2355 m

Distance by bus est. 1 h

Day 6-7           17.-18.09.2021            The Zomba plateau

The journey today continues to the beautifully green and fertile Zomba Plateau, a 6000 ft. table-top mountain rising above the old capital of Malawi, Zomba town. You will stay for the next 2 nights at the amazing Ku Chawe Inn. Set on the very edge of the great Zomba Plateau, it has its own micro-climate and a huge biodiversity. A hike will take you to waterfalls and a peak on the Zomba plateau.(1 x B,D, 1 x B,L,D)

Kuchawe Inn

Hike est. 5 h

Distance by bus est. 2.5 h

Day 8              19.09.2021      Untouched wilderness in Liwonde National Park

Today we will continue to Liwonde National Park. Around lunchtime we will arrive at Mvuu Camp beautifully situated on the banks of the Shire river where we will stay for the next 2 nights. In the afternoon you will go on your first game drive and get to know the incredible biodiversity of the Liwonde National Park. (B,D)

Mvuu Camp

Distance by bus est. 3 h

Day 9              20.09.2021      Safaris in Liwonde National Park

Today you will do game viewing activities on land and a boat safari on the Shire River. River safaris offer a wonderful way of viewing the exceptionally large schools of hippo living in the Shire and seeing the great herds of elephant which come to drink and bathe. The unspoilt nature of Liwonde National Park is one of its great attractions. There is a great range of wildlife including the rare black rhino and some large crocodiles in the river. For birdwatchers, Liwonde is a ‘must visit’ game park. Over 400 species have been recorded. (B,L,D)

Mvuu Camp

Day 10             21.09.2021      Lake Malawi

After breakfast you will shuttle to the shore of beautiful Lake Malawi to Cape Maclear, a World Heritage site. You are accommodated in a beautiful lodge right on the lakeshore. Lake Malawi is ideal for swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing on the beach! In the evening you will enjoy a dinner on the beach. (B,D)

Chembe Eagles Nest

Distance by bus et. 2.5 h

Day 11             22.09.2021      Relaxing at Lake Malawi

After breakfast the morning is at leisure. In the afternoon you will do a private boat cruise to Mumbo Island. You will spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the island. Snorkelling in the extremely clear water amongst the colourful fishes is a highlight. You will see the African fish eagles coming very close to the boat. The sunset on the way back to the lodge is spectacular. (B,D)

Chembe Eagles Nest

Day 12             23.09.2021      The capital of Malawi

Today we will make our way on a scenic route to the capital Lilongwe where we check into our stylish hotel before enjoying our farewell dinner together. (B,D)

Africa House Lilongwe

Distance by bus est. 4 h

Day 13             24.09.2021      Departure

After breakfast a shuttle will take you to Lilongwe Airport where this trip ends. (B)

Distance by bus est. 0.5 h

Accommodation subject to availability

A medium level of fitness is perfectly adequate for this hiking trip. For the hike in the Mulanje mountain range you need a reasonably good footing for scaling some boulders. Since the travel date is during the dry season, the paths are hard and easy to walk. The temperatures are warm to hot. In the highlands the temperature is a pleasant 23-28°C, at the lake and in the south of the country the temperature rises to 28-33°C.

There is a small risk of malaria in Malawi, although greatly reduced in the dry season. Please talk to your doctor about a possible prophylaxis. All accommodations have mosquito nets over the beds and on the windows.